Suction-cleaner.



0. H. & M. O. VAN ALSTYNE.

SUCTION CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 11, 1912.

Patented May 12, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO.,WASHINGTON. D. c.

0. H. & M. 0. VANALSTYNE. SUCTION CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 11, 1912. 1,096,078.

Patented May 12, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

wve/ntod uzvunuum vmxomuu'n COHWASHINGTON 11.1.

inn srnrns rn'rnn one CHARLES H. VAN ALSTYNE AND MATTHEW C. VAN ALSTYNE,,OF SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN.

SUCTION-CLEANER.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 12, 1914.

Application filed March 11, 1912. Serial No. 682,961.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES H. VAN ALSTYNE and MATTHEW C. VAN ALsrYNn, citizens of the United States, residing at South Haven, county of Van Buren, and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Suction- Cleaners, of which the following is a specification. V

This invention relates to improvements in suction cleaners.

The main object of this invention is to provide an improved suctioncleaner of the type adapted to be operated by the wheels of the cleaner as it is pushed across the surface to be cleaned which is simple and compact in structure, easy to operate, and at the same time efiective.

We accomplish the objects of our invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of our invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a perspective view of our improved suction cleaner, the handle being broken away. Fig. II is a vertical longitudinal section taken on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. III. Fig. III is an enlarged vertical transverse section taken on a line corresponding to the broken line 3-3 of Fig. II. Fig. IV is a transverse section taken on a line corresponding to line H of Fig. II. Fig. V is a rear vlew with the handle and the hood 30. Fig. VI is a perspective view of the partition plate 8.

In the drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the casing in the structure illustrated comprises the side walls 1, bottom 2, top 3. The front of the casing is closed by the front pieced and the detachable nozzle 5. The casing is divided intoasuction chamber 6 and a bellows chamber 7, by the partition plate 8. This partition plate 8 is supported in a rearwardly inclined position so that the suction chamber 6 is tapered rearwardly while the bellows chamber is tapered forwardly. The rear end of the bellows chamber 6 is closed by the transverse wall 9. See Figs. II and III. The plate 8 is formed of sheet metal and is provided with upwardly offset ledge-like portions 10 having flanges 11 at their edges which engage the grooves 13 in the side walls 1. The offsets let in the plate are tapered to the forward edge of the plate so that when the flanges 11 are slipped into the grooves 13, the plate is supported in its rearwardly inclined position. The plate 8 projects rearwardly beyond the ofiset portions thereof, the oflfset portions terminating at the partition 9. The partition 9 is provided with upwardly projecting portions 15 at each end which fit into the offset portions as shown in Fig. III. The offset portions serve a double purpose,-that of supporting the plate in a rearwardly inclined position and also forming channels or passages at each side of the suction chamber.

The carrying and driving wheels 16 are arranged at the sides of the plate and at the rear of the oifset portions thereof. The bearings 17 for the axle 18 are mounted on the under side of the plate, as by means of the bolts 19. These bolts serve also to secure the bellows, the fixed members 20 of which are arranged on the top of the plate 8, while the movable members 21 are connected by the pitmen 22 to the wheels. These pitmen are arranged on the outer sides of the wheels and are bent inwardly at 23 to engage the movable members 21 of the bellows, as shown, the bellows being arranged with their rear ends between the wheels.

The plate 8 is provided with ports 24 which open into the bellows, the ports being provided with flap valves 25. These valves are secured by the staples 26 and their swinging movement is limited by the stops 27 mounted on the plate 8. The bellows are provided with discharge valves 29.

The rear end of the casing is inclosed by the sheet metal hood 30 which embraces the top and side walls and covers the wheels. The rear wall of the hood engages the rear end of the plate 8. See Fig. II.

The dust bag 31 is provided with a frame 32 and is clamped in place by the nozzle 5, a clamping bail 33 being provided for the nozzle, the nozzle having springs 34 with which the bail coacts.

On its under side, the plate 8 is provided with longitudinal ribs 35. These ribs 35 hold the dust bag out of contact with the bottom of the plate and permit a free passage of the air from the dust bag into the suction chamber and thence through the ports 24 into the bellows from which it is discharged through the valves 29 as described. The channels at the edges of the suction plate also permit the free passage of air about the dust bag so that the air escapes from the bag with the least possible resistance and is drawn through all sides thereof which is of decided advantage.

lVe do not describe the structural details of the nozzle as it forms no part of our present invention.

Our improved carpet sweeper is compact, is light in weight and easy to operate, and very efiective.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a suction cleaner, the combination with a casing having opposed horizontal grooves in its side walls, of a sheet metal partition plate having upwardly offset ledgelike portions at each side engaging said groove, the offsets being tapered to the front end of the plate whereby the plate is supported in a rearwardly inclined position to provide a rearwardly tapered suction chamber below and a forwardly tapered bellows chamber above said plate, the rear end of the plate being extended beyond its said olfset portions; wheels arranged at the sides of said plate at the rear of the said olfset portions thereof; bearings for said wheels mounted 011 said plate; bellows mounted on said plate and extending between said wheels, said plate being provided with ports opening into said bellows; and pitmen arranged at the outer sides of the wheels and provided with inwardly projecting arms at their upper ends engaging the movable members of the bellows.

2. In a suction cleaner, the combination with a casing having opposed horizontal grooves in its side walls, of a sheet metal partition plate having upwardly oifset ledgelike portions at each side engaging said groove, the offsets being tapered to the front end of the plate whereby the plate is supported in a rearwardly inclined position to provide a rearwardly tapered suction chamber below and a forwardly tapered bellows chamber above said plate, the rear end of the plate being extended beyond its said olfset portions; wheels arranged at the sides of said plate at the rear of the said offset portions thereof; bellows mounted on said plate, said plate being provided with ports opening into said bellows; and pitmen on said wheels connected to the movable members of the bellows.

3. In a suction cleaner, the combination with a casing, of a sheet metal partition plate having upwardly offset ledge-like portions at each side, the plate being supported in a rearwardly inclined position to provide a rearwardly tapered suction chamber below and a forwardly tapered chamber above said plate, the rear end of the plate being extended beyond said offset portions; wheels arranged at the sides of said plate at the rear of the offset portions thereof; bellows mounted on said plate, said plate being provided with ports opening into said bellows; and pitmen connecting the movable members of said bellows with said wheels.

at. In a suction cleaner, the combination with a casing, of a partition plate disposed within said casing in a rearwardly inclined position to provide a rearwardly tapered suction chamber below and a forwardly tapered bellows chamber above said plate, the rear end of the plate being extended beyond the rear wall of the suction chamber, the edges of said plate at the rear of the rear wall of the suction chamber being cut away at each side to provide openings for wheels between the side walls of the casing and the edges of said plate; wheels arranged in said openings between the side walls of the casing and the edges of said plate with their upper portions projecting above the plate into said bellows chamber; bearings for said wheels mounted on said plate; a pair of bellows mounted on said plate, the rear ends of the bellows being disposed between said wheels, said plate being provided with ports connecting said suction chamber with said bellows; and pitmen arranged on the outer sides of said wheels and having inwardly projecting arms at their upper ends connected to the movable members of said bellows.

5. In a suction cleaner, the combination with a casing, of a partition plate disposed within said casing in a rearwardly inclined position to provide a rearwardly tapered suction chamber below and a forwardly tapered bellows chamber above said plate, the rear end of the plate being extended beyond the rear wall of the suction chamber, the edges of said plate at the rear of the rear wall of the suction chamber being cut away at each side to provide openings for wheels between the side walls of the casing and the edges of said plate; wheels arranged in said openings between the side walls of the casing and the edges of said plate with their upper portions projecting above the plate into said bellows chamber; bearings for said wheels mounted on said plate; a pair of bellows mounted on said plate, the rear ends of the bellows being disposed between said wheels, said plate being provided with ports connecting said suction chamber with said bellows; and pitmen connecting said wheels to the movable members of said bellows.

6. In a suction cleaner, the combination with a casing, of a partition plate disposed within said casing in a rearwardly inclined position to provide a rearwardly tapered suction chamber below and a forwardly tapered bellows chamber above said plate, the rear wall of the suction chamber being spaced from the rear wall of the casing to provide a wheel chamber, the edges of said plate at the rear of the rear wall of the suction chamber being cut away at each side to provide openings for wheels between the side walls of the casing and the edges of the plate with their upper portions projecting above the plate into said bellows chamber;

15 wheels arranged in said openings between the side walls of the casing and the edges of said plate; bearings for said wheels mounted on said plate; bellows mounted on said plate, said plate being provided with ports connecting said suction chamber with said bellows; and operating connection for the movable members of said bellows to said wheels. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES H. VAN ALSTYNE. MATTHEW C. VAN ALSTYNE. Witnesses:

FRED C. CoesHALL, VIOLETTE L. FROWNFELDER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Iatents, Washington, .D. G. 

